What Can Chickens Eat From The Kitchen?

What Can Chickens Eat From The Kitchen?

Feeding chickens leftovers from your kitchen may seem like a natural and sustainable way to cut food waste, but in the UK, the law is very clear: you must not feed any kitchen scraps to poultry. This includes fruit and vegetable peelings, cooked leftovers, and even scraps from vegan households.

The law was introduced in response to the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the early 2000s to prevent cross-contamination between animal species. The guidance is strict and applies to all domestic poultry keepers, not just farms.

What the law says

According to the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency):

“You must never use catering waste as farm animal feed, regardless of whether it’s vegetable or meat based or whether it comes from restaurants, households, or other sites.”

You must never use:

• Scraps and catering waste from any restaurant or commercial kitchen (including vegan kitchens)
• Scraps and kitchen waste (including from vegan households)

This means that anything that has passed through your kitchen, even if it’s raw and plant-based, cannot legally be fed to chickens.

As chickens are classed as farm animals, backyard keepers are duty-bound to follow this guidance. It ensures not only the safety of our own flocks, but the wider farming community as well.

What can you feed your chickens instead?

Thankfully, there are safe and legal ways to treat your hens without breaking the rules:

• Fresh fruit and veg – purchased or harvested produce that has not passed through your kitchen can be given safely
• Commercial treats – products formulated specifically for chickens, such as seed blocks and corn mixes. Note that dried mealworms, which used to be a popular treat, have also been banned for use with poultry by DEFRA because of the risk of animal protein contamination.
• Garden greens – if you grow your own veg, items like cabbage, lettuce, spinach or herbs can be taken straight to the run

We keep a separate container in the shed for storing surplus produce or trimmings from the allotment that haven’t been into the house.

A practical workaround

If you want to give your hens a whole cabbage or a bunch of grapes, the safest route is to avoid taking the food into your kitchen at all. Carry it via a side gate or bring it in with your shopping, and take it directly to your coop or run.

That way, it hasn’t been exposed to other foodstuffs, surfaces, or utensils, so there’s no risk of cross-contamination.

For example:

• Hang up a whole cauliflower by its stalk in the run
• Place a pumpkin or melon directly into the run for pecking
• Toss unwashed carrots or beetroot onto the ground for a natural foraging experience

This approach allows you to keep your hens stimulated and well-fed while staying compliant.

The bottom line on feeding scraps

We all love to treat our hens (and they certainly expect it!) but it’s important to remember that:

• Hens are not food waste bins
• Scraps are not a substitute for a balanced poultry diet
• The law prohibits feeding kitchen waste to poultry, even from vegan homes

To avoid any risk of penalty or harm to your flock, only feed scraps that have not been through your (or any other) kitchen, or opt for purpose-made treats designed for chickens.

Final thoughts

Understanding what chickens can eat from the kitchen means knowing where the legal line is drawn. While it’s tempting to share leftovers, we now know that’s not an option in the UK.

Instead, focus on safe, nutritious alternatives that keep your hens happy, healthy and within the rules. When in doubt, choose feed and treats designed for chickens, and keep fruit and veg out of the kitchen until you’re ready to deliver it directly to the run.

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Legal disclaimer: UK law prohibits feeding any kitchen waste to chickens, including from vegan households. This article is for information only and does not replace official DEFRA guidance. For the most up-to-date information, consult APHA and government resources.